OVERVIEW:
I looked high and low for the best sub-$100 reflex sight and in the running for that prize were a few Bushnell red dots, the Primary Arms red dot, the ADE Advanced Optics Crusader and a few of the Sightmark models (though most were above the $100 mark). The ADE was tempting as it was the lowest priced, had a 2MOA dot, red and green reticles as well as 8 different reticle patterns to choose from. What held me back was build quality, company reputation and customer service- which seemed to be hit and miss. Then the price jumped up to Sightmark's ballpark, so the main advantage disappeared. I decided against the Bushnell and Primary Arms models as they were traditional tube designs rather than a heads-up design and had only a single reticle (a dot). With tubes, the adjustment barrels obscure the peripheral sight picture somewhat while with heads-up designs, the only thing blocking your view is the thin "window pane" around the glass. So Sightmark became my lead contender as I wanted a heads-up design with at least a handful of reticle options from a company that stood behind their product. As I didn't think I needed night vision compatibility or a quick detach mount, I went with this model rather than Sighmark's more popular offerings which offer both. But this model appears to be the same build quality as the more expensive versions, simply minus those features. Came in a nice box with a basic user manual, allen wrench, cover and cleaning cloth.
PROS:
+Solid build quality
+4 Reticle patterns
+Decent battery life
+Neoprene cover
+Absolute co-witness with my flip-up iron sights
CONS:
-Red reticles only (applies to most Sighmark models)
-No quick detach mount
-Not night vision compatible
BOTTOM LINE:
Hard to beat for the money. I'd prefer a lower-third co-witness setup, but absolute has it's advantages as well. I could always put a small riser on it if I really wanted lower-third. As with most reflex sights in this price range, if you switch reticles, you'll need to re-zero, so best to pick one and stick with it. I chose the 3MOA dot with 30MOA circle and 50MOA crosshair extensions. The circle is useful for up-close shots and the crosshair extensions help line up follow-up shots if you're adjusting for windage and elevation on the fly. Overall very happy with my purchase, but if you're in the market, give the other contenders listed here a look as they might fit your preference and setup better.
| Brand | Sightmark |
|---|---|
| Sport | Hunting, Climbing, Airsoft, Tactical & Military |
| Item Weight | 0.01 Ounces |
| Magnification Minimum | 1 x |
| Compatible Devices | Shotgun, Rifle |
| Mounting Type | Weaver Mount |
| Night vision | No |
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 4.6 x 3 x 2.3 inches |
| Package Weight | 12 ounces |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 3.58 x 2.4 x 2.6 inches |
| Brand Name | Sightmark |
| Warranty Description | Limited Lifetime Warranty |
| Model Name | SM13005 |
| Suggested Users | Mounts |
| Number of Items | 3 |
| Manufacturer | Sellmark Corporation |
| Part Number | SM13005 |
| Model Year | 2016 |
| Included Components | adjustment tools, Battery, Sight |
